Local districts react to proposed state curriculum changes

Published 7:00 pm, Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Michigan high school students would have to take tougher classes under standards unanimously adopted Tuesday by the state Board of Education.

The new recommendation calls for 18 required credits: four each in math and English, three each in science and social science, two in world languages and one each in physical education and the arts. The recommendation of two credits in world languages is new; it was not in the previous plan put forth by state Superintendent Michael Flanagan.

The plan now goes to the Legislature, which Gov. Jennifer Granholms office and the state schools superintendent say must act for mandatory changes to take effect.

If lawmakers act by March 1, the requirements would start with the graduating class of 2010, which is next years freshman class. If the Legislature adopts them later than that, the new requirements would start one year later.

The states only current requirement is a civics class, with all other graduation standards left for local districts to decide.

Superintendent John Hill of the Bullock Creek School District said this action clearly restricts local control.

"Its going to dramatically change the options students have," he said.

For example, the new requirements could keep students from being able to take electives such as business, fine arts and vocational training. Students need 24 credits to graduate; if this is passed, 16 credits would be required by the state.

Hill said the district had been working on its own new, tougher high school graduation requirements before Flanagan introduced his recommendations.

But Hill said his biggest concern is the math requirements, which include Algebra II. He said some student struggle with math. The state also has not said if vocational courses with a strong math component could substitute.

Principal Dennis Stine of Meridian High School also is concerned the proposed plan restricts student choice.

"Theyre going to be tied up with requirements," he said.

According to Stine, Meridian students have the following graduation requirements: four years of English, three years of social studies, two years of math, two years of science, and a half-credit each of computers, physical education and health.

"Were going to have to look at our math curriculum," Stine said. "I have a whole lot of students who are going to struggle."

He said hes worried struggling with math may cause some students to drop out of school.

Stine also said the high school does not have enough math teachers to teach four years of math.

The state board also recommended that students be required to take the Michigan Merit Exam  a standardized test now under development  in the spring of their junior year. Students also would have to complete an online learning requirement.

Students would be encouraged to take elective classes linked to so-called "21st Century Skills" such as economics, business technology and law.

They would have to follow the curriculum for at least three years before they could seek permission to get a waiver to the core curriculum to pursue a different track.

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